Maverick talents that England failed to trust
The Rugby Paper|July 19, 2020
Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful
Brendan Gallagher
Maverick talents that England failed to trust

What’s happening here? It’s the afternoon of Thursday January 13, 1977 and England No.8 Andy Ripley and fly-half Martin Cooper are enjoying themselves immensely as England’s training session before their Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham grinds to a halt in the snow.

Ripley in particular looks in his element – winter sports was the great love of his spectacular sporting life – and frankly he couldn’t be happier. You just know for certain that a snowball fight is about to break out.

What’s the story behind this picture?

England in the 1970s veered from world class – memorable Test wins in South Africa and New Zealand in 1972 and 1973 – to absolutely hopeless Five Nations whitewashes in 1972 and 1976. The one constant, however, was their suspicion of unusual and individualistic talents such as Ripley and Cooper. They didn’t fit a template.

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